Shuang Li

What is your current position at Volvo? I work at Volvo Group Trucks Technology Purchasing in China as a project buyer for brake systems. I have a daily relationship with suppliers, as well as colleagues from other countries. I make sure the suppliers deliver parts on time in each milestone of the projects.

Have the Volvo Group matched your expectations as an employer? I studied in Gothenburg for a masters degree, met Volvo at the university and joined the international graduate program as an international trainee. And reality has matched my expectations. Volvo offers many opportunities, internationally and in China, where we’re growing very fast.

How has your Volvo career been this far? First, I worked as a trainee. After that, I worked as a business developer at Volvo Logistics. I then started with Purchasing at Volvo Logistics. I am very happy with my career this far and appreciate the opportunities that have been given to me. These two positions have brought me great experience and knowledge. I am now able to deliver more value to the company. I

Do you get any professional or personal coaching from Volvo?Yes, as an international trainee I got my own mentor, and I still have him. Through him, I get information and experience from another department. The mentor not only gives me information and knowledge, but I can also go through any difficulties that I am facing.

If you were to recommend Volvo Group as an employer to a friend, what would you put forward? First of all, it is a Fortune 500 company. But most importantly is that the working atmosphere is friendly. There is great respect among colleagues, and managers. You are happy when you are working at Volvo! Another thing is that Volvo is a very good platform to gain knowledge. It has a good environment, where it is easy to learn things fast. And since the business is growing, it is easy to develop as a person and achieve accomplishments.

How would you describe your, so far, best experience from being an employee of the Volvo Group? The trainee period was very special, doing job rotation in Sweden and the US. It has also been a good experience to be involved in large projects. The more projects you work in, the more experience you gain. It is a continual improvement.

What are your goals, plans and hopes for the future?That I will stay in Purchasing two more years and possibly get a promotion. I only want to stay five years on the same level before I get promoted. My long-term goal is to be purchasing manager.